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WHY I AM A MEMBER
“The bespoke information has been invaluable for my career and employment; I don’t feel alone anymore. I have the peace of mind knowing my income is protected with my BGA insurance.”
Jenny Hooch
BGA Member
- Your Career
- Freelancing
- BGA Training
- Healthy Yard Healthy Horses
- Transporting horses
- Brexit
- Safe workplace
- Student zone
- Member Discounts
- BG Magazine
- International Grooms Association
- BGA CV Creator
- Horse groom training
- Where to Train
- BGA E Learning
- Career choices
- Change to Racing
- First Aid training for grooms
- Parents
GROOMS JOB BOARD
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WATCH OUR VIDEO
News
BGA survey exposes on-the-job training
16th September 2026
A new British Grooms Association (BGA) survey has uncovered worrying levels of unpaid work, excessive hours, missing employment rights and inadequate training among people undertaking on-the-job groom training roles.
>> Read the full results: On-the-job Training Survey Results
The BGA surveyed working pupils, working students, apprentices and others undertaking training-type roles asking about:
- Pay
- working hours
- training
- employment rights and
- workplace wellbeing
The results provide a concerning snapshot of the experiences being reported by people entering the equestrian industry.
Issues that cannot be ignored
72% of respondents work more than 40 hours a week, with a quarter working 51–60 hours and some reporting 71 hours or more.
Among those working 51+ hours, just 38% had a written contract.
The issue is particularly concerning among younger workers, with 71% of under-18s reporting working more than 40 hours a week.
From the 75 people who took part, the survey also found:
- 64% have no written contract
- 67% receive no payslips
- 77% don't receive their full statutory holiday entitlement
- Only 20% reported receiving statutory sick pay.
Pay and training under scrutiny
More than half of respondents said they were not paid at least the statutory minimum wage for their age group.
16% were not paid at all.
Yet more than three quarters said they carry out the same tasks as other staff who are paid.
Meanwhile, 61% receive no regular training, despite being in an on-the-job training role.
The survey also found that 15% had been told they were self-employed, despite potentially working under conditions indicating employee or worker status.
|
“These findings demonstrate an urgent need for the equestrian industry to distinguish between genuine training and productive work. The term ‘working pupil’ does not determine someone's legal employment status. What matters is the reality of the working relationship.” Lucy Katan MBE, CEO, British Grooms Association |
A serious impact on groom wellbeing
58% of respondents said they were unhappy or very unhappy at work, while only 21% feel able to discuss work issues with their boss.
Almost a third said they were worried about losing their position if they raised a concern.
>> Read the full results: On-the-job Training Survey Results
If you are a groom, a working pupil, or an equestrian apprentice and concerned about your employment, pay or training arrangements join the BGA to seek advice and support from our friendly and experienced team.
NEWS ARCHIVE
- 2026 (23 ENTRIES)
- 2025 (32 ENTRIES)
- 2024 (70 ENTRIES)
- 2023 (72 ENTRIES)
- 2022 (44 ENTRIES)
- 2021 (35 ENTRIES)
- 2020 (54 ENTRIES)
- 2019 (90 ENTRIES)
- 2018 (92 ENTRIES)
- 2017 (66 ENTRIES)
- 2016 (42 ENTRIES)
- 2015 (26 ENTRIES)
- 2014 (24 ENTRIES)
- 2013 (1 ENTRIES)
What the personal accident policy covers you for:
- Whilst at work
- All stable duties – mucking out, grooming, washing off, turning out
- Clipping
- Riding – including hacking and jumping
- Hunting
- Lunging
- Breaking in
- Holding horse for a vet and other procedures
- Travelling horses both in the UK and abroad
- Competing in line with your job including: jumping, dressage, eventing
- Injuries that may happen to you whilst you are teaching - but you must also be grooming as part of your duties and not be a sole instructor
What the personal accident policy doesn’t cover you for:
- Riding in a race, point to point or team chase
- Stunt Riding
- Accidents occurring whilst travelling to and from work
- Riding and competing your own horse (but you can upgrade when applying for membership to include this)
- Public Liability – this is a separate insurance policy - the Freelance Groom Liability Insurance
- Care Custody and Control – this is a separate policy - the Freelance Groom Liability Insurance
If you require_once additional cover then please contact KBIS directly.
| GROOM | RIDER | EMPLOYER | |
|
When you are working for other people you do most of the following; muck out, turn out/catch in, tack up, groom horses, exercise Horses (including hacking, jumping and schooling), in the care of your employer/client. |
|
|
|
| Predominantly ride horses for other people including schooling, exercising and competing. | NO |
YES |
YES |
| Provide grooming services for someone else either full time or on a freelance basis i.e. an employer or a client. | YES |
NO |
NO |
| Employ staff – have an employers liability policy in your name | NO | NO | YES |
| Buy and sell horses | NO | YES | YES |
The BGA is the national representative body for all
grooms working in the UK or British grooms abroad.
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